Recommended and reviewed by Owene Courtney, SJC Formation Director, August 2024
"With a hint of Kenneth Grahame’s Wind in the Willows, in both art and words, Susan Varley has produced the most beautiful book about love and death and the importance of what we leave behind.
Badger’s Parting Gifts is Varley’s first book, and it captures readers both young and old from the very beginning with a lovely sketch of “dependable, reliable and always ready to help when help is needed” old Badger sitting on a stump, cane in hand, pensive and peaceful. Children will be drawn in by the artwork as well as the gentle language of all the characters as they come to grips with the aging and impending death of their beloved Badger. Adults will cherish the story, filled with memories of parting gifts from the past.
Mole and Frog and Fox greatly suffer with Badger’s death, and yet they are especially comforted as they remember the treasures that Badger gave them during his life time…Badger’s parting gifts! In the end, instead of grieving every time they remember Badger, they give thanks for the special gift he gave them, and the gifts become all the more special each time they are passed on to others."
